Atlanta Falcons: Five players to watch against Saints

5) Justin Hardy

Dec 6, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Justin Hardy (16) runs the ball in the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Justin Hardy era in Atlanta hasn’t been all that great in his rookie season with the team. Hardy was inactive for the Falcons’ first seven games of the year for no apparent reason and since then has only caught 17 passes for 160 yards in eight games.

When the Falcons drafted Hardy, many thought he would be the longterm replacement of former slot receiver Harry Douglas but that hasn’t quite panned out. Hardy is only 24 and still has a lot of potential moving forward and a breakout game against the New Orleans Saints would help his cause heading into the offseason.